Remotely controlled toy boat



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A REMQTELY CONTROLLED TOY BOAT Filed Feb. 3, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1- unllllm VEN TOR.

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United States Patent O 2,991,587 REMOTELY CONTROLLED TOY BOAT Floyd W. Blanchard, 2334 Loma Vista Place, Los Angeles 39, Calif. Filed Feb. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 790,939

4 Claims. (Cl. 46-95) This invention relates to a toy boat or similar aquatic toy and other articles adapted to travel on or through water, and particularly items which are propelled by an umbilically connected hydraulic system of jet propulsion and remote control.

Toy boats have been designed which have a single connection, by means of a flexible tube, to a source of pressurized water supply, and are propelled forward by the rearward ejection of pressurized water through a nozzle mounted at or near the stern of the boat or other oating object. However, suitable remote control steering mechanisms have not been provided for such boats, and such boats have been adaptable only for use in a bathtub, pan, or small basin having concave, corner-free contours for guiding the boat in a looplike path. The action of other toy boats on control lines in relatively unrestricted water has been unrealistic when they reach the end of the control lines because they maintain the same general heading with respect to the lines and swing in an arc about the far end of the lines, using the other end of the control line as a center pivot point, and such boats cannot execute deliberate turns.

An object of this invention is to provide a toy boat propelled and controlled by a remote source of hydraulic pressure, the action of which will duplicate as closely as possible the action of a free oating self-propelled boat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy boat, umbilically connected to a source of water under pressure, which is capable of being realistically turned and otherwise maneuvered by lremote control at any distance from the water source.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is simple and inexpensive to construct and maintain.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a toy boat or other oating object which may be operated on any body of water, with or without confining limitations, provided ya source of pressurized water is available.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, the free maneuverability of which is limited only by the length of the lines connecting it to a water source.

The device herein is a toy surface boat, but it will be understood that the device may be `a larger surface boat, may be in the form of a submarine, may be a device for skimming leaves or other objects from the surface or along the bottom of a swimming pool, a fish pond, or other body of water, or may be a device of similar utilitarian appeal.

The boat or other water-borne object of the present invention is acted upon by the drag resistance of remote control flexible tubes, and is particularly acted upon by the pull of said flexible tubes when the boat or other water-borne object has traveled to the limit of length of said exible tubes and is tending to pull said exible tubes straight Iand taut. yDue to the drag resistance of said flexible tubes, the boat or other water-borne object tends to pivot in a turn about the point where the remote control lines are attached to the hull of the boat or body of the water-borne object. Consequently, the location of the junction point of attachment of said flexible tubes to the hull or body, the relative location of said junction point of attachment to the point where steering force is applied, and the direction of the steering force line of action, are interrelated to provide the necessary 2,991,587. Patented July 1K1, 1961 turning moments, but at the same time permitting maintenance of a stable straight course when desired.

When the boat or other water-borne object is traveling in a stable straight course forward, the combined resultant of all forces acting on the boat must lie, of course, on the center line of the hull or body parallel to the line'of travel. Furthermore, the nozzles must lie along said center line, or be symmetrically disposed on either side thereof. It has been found that for'proper boat action, the point of attachment of the exible line to the hull or body must be somewhat to the rear of the bow of the boat or extreme forward portion of the body.

In order to permit the boat or other water-borne object to turn smartly despite the drag force exerted by the pull of the lflexible remote control lines, a turning moment about the point of attachment as a center must be of suicient magnitude to overcome the resist-ance of the boat. Therefore, the point of attachment must be forward of the extreme stern of the boat or rear of the body in order to permit the stern or rear to sweep around in a turn without pulling the iiexible lines with it; the point of attachment and the point where the steering force is applied must be separately located; and the line of action ofthe steering force cannot pass through the point of attachment of the exible lines.

In other words, the point of attachment of the llexible lines for remotely controlling the boat or other waterborne object, must be forward of the extreme stern and rearward of the bow, and it has been found advantageous to locate said point of attachment slightly to the rear of the mid-section of the boat or other water-borne object. yIn lieu of a single junction point of attachment, a plurality of attachment points, each for -a separate line., may be used, provided that said points are located on or symmetrically about the center line paralleling normal forward travel of said body.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is ya side view of a toy boat, partially cut away.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the toy boat shown in FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side view of an alternative form of toy boat, partially cut away.

IFIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the toy boat shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged horizontal cross-section taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged view taken on the line 7-7 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURES y8 and 9 illustrate diagrammatically a boat hull with all nozzles used for forward propulsion and steering, and not reverse, and with the nozzles mounted at various points thereon, as follows:

A shows two nozzles mounted at the stern and directed to create converging jet streams;

B also shows two nozzles mounted at the stern but directed to create parallel jet streams;

C shows two nozzles mounted substantially amidships and directed to create parallel jet streams;

D shows two nozzles mounted spaced apart at the stern but directed to create diverging jet streams;

E shows two nozzles mounted at the stern but in' close proximity to each other and directed to create diverging jet streams;

F shows ltwo nozzles mounted substantially forward and directed to create diverging jet streams;

G shows two nozzles also mounted substantially forward but directed to create parallel jet streams;

H shows two nozzles also mounted substantially for.-

. ward but directed to create converging jet streams;

I shows three nozzles mounted at the stern, with the center nozzle used for propulsion and directed rearwardly, and with the side nozzles used for steering and directed respectively at right angles to the normal line of forward travel;

.l shows three nozzles, but with the center propulsion nozzle mounted amidships and the side steering nozzles mounted and directed forward;

K shows three nozzles, but with the center propulsion nozzle mounted at the stern and the side steering nozzles mounted forward and directed laterally;

L shows three nozzles, but with the center propulsion nozzle mounted amidships and the side `steering nozzles mounted at the stern and directed laterally;

M shows three nozzles, but with the center propulsion nozzle mounted forward and the side steering nozzles mounted toward the stern and directed laterally;

N shows three nozzles, with all three mounted forward and the steering nozzles directed laterally;

O shows three nozzles, with the center propulsion nozzle mounted at the stern and directed rearwardly, and with the side steering nozzles also mounted at the stern but directed forwardly at oblique angles to the normal line of forward travel for steering land reversing;

P is similar to O, and shows three nozzles, but with the center propulsion nozzle mounted amidships;

Q shows three nozzles, but" with the center propulsion nozzle mounted at the stern and the obliquely directed side nozzles mounted forward;

R is similar to Q, but shows the center propulsion nozzle mounted amidships;

S is similar to O, but shows the center propulsion nozzle mounted forward; and

T is similar to Q, but with all three nozzles mounted forward.

It will be recognized that FIGURES 8 and 9 lare merely illustrative of various means of propelling and steering a water-borne object with jet nozzles variously disposed, butthatlthe invention is not restricted solely to mounting them in the positions illustrated. It will be further recognized that, where required for reverse action, a reverse nozzle may be added to the hulls illustrated in FIGURES 8 and 9, but that 'where oblique nozzles are shown in some of the three-nozzle illustrations in FIGURE 9, said oblique nozzles may be utilized for reverse action'as well as for steering.

A toy boat 10 has a hull 11. Flexible tubes 12,'13 and 14, running from a remote source of water power (not shown) enter the hull 11 through an opening 15 located approximately amidships of the hull on the center line 16 thereof and are tightly disposed in said opening so that the hull 11 is water-tight.

Tube 14 then inns forward inside the boat toa second opening 17 in the hull 11, is tightly disposed in said second opening 17 to keep the hull 11 Water-tight, is -then disposed along the outside surface of hull 11, and is firmly mounted in a block 18, mounted on hull 11. The end of said tube 14 is mounted in a tapered chamber 19, to form a jet opening 20 in said block 181.

Tube 13 runs toward the stern inside the boat, and obliquely laterally to a third opening 24 in the hull 11, is tightly disposed in said third opening 24 to keep the hull water-tight, is then disposed along the outside surface of the hull 11, and is iirmly mounted in a -block 25 mounted on hull 11. The end of said tube 13 is mounted in a tapered chamber 26, to form a jet opening 27 in said block 25.

Similarly, tube 12 runs sternward inside the boat and obliquely laterally, but divergently to tube 13, to a fourth opening 30 .in hull 11, is tightly disposed in said fourth opening 30to keep the hull water-tight, is then disposed along the outside'surface of the hull 11, and is firmly mounted in a block 31 mounted on hull 11. The end of said tube 12 is mounted in a tapered chamber 32, to form a jet vopening 33. in said block 31.

An alternative form of toy boat 5I) has a hull S1 and a false bottom 52. Mounted in the space between the hull A51 and the false bottom `52, preferably somewhat forward of amidships, is a exible Water-tight bulb 53. Said bulb 53 is disposed betweena forward bulkhead wall 54 of false bottom `5 2 and a movable pressure plate 55. Pressure plate 55 has mounted at right angles to it rod 60 which projects toward the stern in the space betweenr hull 51 and false bottom 52. Mounted on rod 60 is collar 61, which forms one seat for coiled spring 62 which is loosely disposed around rod 60. The other end of spring 62 is seated on a hollow collar 63 in which rod 60 is slidably disposed. Collar 63 is rigidly mounted on longitudinal bulkhead 64.

Mounted on the end of rod 60 is rack '65, the teeth 66 of which contact teeth 67 of pinion 68. Pinion 68 is rigidly mounted on a swivel jet 69 which projects through an opening 70 in hull y51.

Flexible tubes and 81, running from a remote source of water power (not shown) enter the hull 51 'through an opening 82 located approximately amidships of the lhull on the center line 83 thereof and are tightly disposed in said opening 82. Tube 80 then runs forward to ilexible water-tight opening 84. Tube 81 runs toward the stern and is connected through an opening l85 in pinion 68 to swivel jet 69, being tightly disposed in openf ing S5 and in Vswivel jet 69, but allowing free turning of pinion 68 and swivel jet 69 due to the llexibility of tube 81.

The laction of boat 10 shown in FIGURE l is as follows: When the water under pressure ows with equal pressure through tubes I12 and 13, while tube 14 is shut oh, the exhaust of said water through jet openings 33 and 27 respectively, will impel boat 10 forward on a straight course. If more pressure is Iapplied in tube 12 than in tube I3, boat 10 will be impelled in a turn to the right, or starboard. Similarly, when more pressure is applied in tube 16 than in tube 12, boat 10 will turn to the left, or port. When pressure is shut olf in tubes 12 and 13, but applied in tube 14, boat 10 will reverse. Its reverse travel can be controlled and directed by applying a somewhat lesser amount of pressure in tubes 12 and 13, so that, when boat 10 is proceeding in reverse, a modest amount of pressure applied in tube 12 will cause boat 10 to reverse to the left, or port, and similarly, a modest amount of pressure applied in tube 13 will cause boat 10l to reverse to the right, or starboard.

The action of boat 50, shown in FIGURE 3, is as follows:

When water under pressure flows through tube 81, the exhaust of said water through swivel jet 69 will impel boat 50 into motion, the direction of which is controlled by the direction in which jet 69 is facing. For instance, if it is facing directly toward the stern, boat 50 will be impelled forward on a straight course, but if it is turned somewhat to the right, boat 50 will turn to the left, or port, and if it is turned to the left, boat 50` will turn to the right, or starboard. If jet 69 faces forward, boat 50 will be impelled rearwardly, its exact rearward movement being determined by the exact positioning of jet 69, so that if jet 69 faces directly forward, boat 50 will reverse 0n a straight course, but if jet 69 faces somewhat to the left, boat 50 will reverse in a right-hand or starboard turn, and if it faces somewhat to the right, boat 50 will reverse in a left-hand or port turn. The direction of swivel jet 69 is controlled by vthe ination and deflation of bulb 53, which acts in turn on pressure plate 55 and the rack and pinion assembly shown in FIGURE 3.

It will be readily recognized that the invention need not be limited to the two types of boats shown in the drawings. For instance, it could easily be applied Vto a boat which, instead of being equipped with the single swivel nozzle of alternate boat 50, is equipped with one forward propulsion tube attached to a stationary jet opening directly astern, with a second tube connected by'watertight flexible bulb and rack and pinion or other mechanical arrangement to a swiveling rudder for steering, with a third tube for reverse action, if desired. Furthermore, it will be apparent that in lieu of a flexible waterline connected to a water-tight tiexible bulb, any method of rapidly expanding and contracting a flexible bulb may be used.

Similarly, the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein. It is recognized that departures may be made from the embodiments set forth herein. The invention is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent structures and methods, devices or systems.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A remotely controlled water-borne object comprising a body, three exible passages mounted on the lower surface of said body intermediate the ends thereof at a junction point on the center line of said lower surface parallel to the normal forward line of travel of said body, an end opening in one of said ilexible passages disposed in a position on said longitudinal centerline of said lower surface and facing forward on said lower surface, end openings in each of the other of said exible passages disposed in opposed positions to each other laterally of said longitudinal center line and facing aft on said lower surface, and means remote from said body for applying hydraulic pressure in said passages and selectively ejecting uid therefrom, whereby, when uid is selectively ejected by said hydraulic pressure from said rearwardly disposed end openings only, the body travels generally forward, and when fluid is selectively ejected by said hydraulic pressure from said forwardly disposed end opening only, the body travels generally in reverse.

2. A remotely controlled water-borne object comprising a body, a pair of exible passages mounted on the lower surface of said body intermediate the ends thereof at a point on the center line of said lower surface parallel to the normal forward line of travel of said body, end openings in said passages facing rearwardly of said body and disposed on opposed sides of said longitudinal center line, and means remote from said body for applying hydraulic pressure in said passages and selectively ejecting fluid therefrom, whereby, when uid is selectively ejected by said hydraulic pressure from both said openings at one and the same time, the body travels in a generally forward direction, but when uid is selectively ejected by said hydraulic pressure from one or the other of said openings only, the body travels generally in a forward turn to the side.

3. A remotely controlled water-borne object comprising a body having a hollow hull, a pair of flexible passages mounted on the lower surface of said body intermediate the ends thereof at a point on the center line of said lower surface parallel to the normal forward line of travel of said body, an expanding uid pressure chamber mounted on the open end of one of said passages and disposed within said hull, a nozzle swivelly mounted on the lower surface of said body, disposed toward the stern thereof and mounted on the open end of the other of said passages, a spring actuated rack and pinion mechanism mounted on the upper end of said nozzle, disposed between and operatively connected to the said expanding pressure chamber and said nozzle, and means remote from said body for applying Ifluid pressure in said passages and selectively ejecting fluid therefrom, whereby, by injecting uid into or ejecting uid from said expanding pressure ychamber by said hydraulic pressure, the direction of the nozzle, and hence the direction of travel of the body, may be remotely controlled and directed, and by selectively injecting fluid by hydraulic pressure into and through said nozzle, forward propulsion may be imparted to said body.

4. A remotely controlled water-borne object comprising a body having a hollow hull, three exible passages mounted on the lower surface of said body intermediate the ends thereof at a junction point on the center line of said lower surface parallel to the normal forward line of travel of said body, an end opening in one of said flexible passages disposed in a position on said center line of said lower surface and facing forward on said lower surface, an end opening in another of said flexible passages disposed in a position on said center line and 'facing aft on said lower surface, an expanding iiuid pressure chamber mounted on the end opening of the third of said exible passages and disposed within said hull, a rudder mounted on said body, a spring actuated lever pivotally mounted on the hull adjacent said expanding pressure chamber and operatively connected to said expanding pressure chamber and said rudder, and means for applying hydraulic pressure in said passages and selectively ejecting fluid therefrom, whereby, when fluid is ejected by hydraulic pressure from said forwardly disposed end opening only, the body travels in reverse, but when fluid is ejected Iby hydraulic pressure from said rearwardly disposed end 4opening only, the body travels forward, its exact `forward direction being controlled by the injection of fluid into or ejection of fluid from said expanding pressure chamber and the resultant action of the spring actuated lever and the rudder.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 144,767 Jones Nov. 1-8, 1:8173 1,370,572 Williams Mar. 8, 1921 1,556,336 McHugh et all. Oct. 6, 1925 1,585,757 Borkenstein May 25, 1926 2,364,233 Morey Dec. 5, 1944 2,589,268 Less Mar. 18, 1952 2,667,141 Lepkowski Ian. 26, 1954 

